Difference between revisions of "The Black Vault"

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|Cast = {{Unbulleted list|[[Andreas Fabis]] | [[Brad Hawkins]] | [[Clay Towery]] | [[Emily Breedlove]] | [[Jay Michael]] | [[Jayme Ramsay]] | [[Jessica Arjet]] |  [[Justin Davis]] | [[Marc Majcher]] | [[Paul Normandin]] | [[Peter Rogers]] | [[Roy Janik]] | [[Ryan Hill]]}}
|Cast = {{Unbulleted list|[[Andreas Fabis]] | [[Brad Hawkins]] | [[Clay Towery]] | [[Emily Breedlove]] | [[Jay Michael]] | [[Jayme Ramsay]] | [[Jessica Arjet]] |  [[Justin Davis]] | [[Marc Majcher]] | [[Paul Normandin]] | [[Peter Rogers]] | [[Roy Janik]] | [[Ryan Hill]]}}
|Tech = {{Unbulleted list
|Tech = {{Unbulleted list
| [[Cindy Page]]
| [[Cindy Page]] (sound)
| [[Michael Yew]]
| [[Michael Yew]] (scoring)
| [[Neal Tibrewala]]}}
| [[Neal Tibrewala]] (lights)}}
|Theater = [[The Hideout Theatre]]
|Theater = [[The Hideout Theatre]]
|Run = Sep/Oct 2012
|Run = Sep/Oct 2012
}}
}}


'''''The Black Vault''''' was an improvised longform show, each show consisting of three individual stories linked by a framing narrative, performed in the style of the novels and stories of [[wikipedia:H. P. Lovecraft|H.P. Lovecraft]].
'''''The Black Vault''''' was an improvised longform show performed in the style of the novels and stories of [[wikipedia:H. P. Lovecraft|H.P. Lovecraft]].


==Format==
==Format==
Each show in the mainstage run was divided into three stories. A predetermined group of characters would begin on stage, establishing a framing sequence. Eventually, one of the characters would say a phrase which might constitute the title of a Lovecraftian story, and the title was taken up by one of the show's two predetermined main characters. That character would then narrate a story, stepping into and out of the scene as desired. At the conclusion of the story, the framing sequence would resume, until a second title is announced, at which case the second narrator would begin his or her story. After that, the framing sequence resumed for a final time, at which point the frame itself became the third story and one (non-predetermined) character from the frame became the final narrator.
Each show in the mainstage run was divided into three stories. A predetermined group of characters would begin on stage, establishing a framing sequence. Eventually, one of the characters would say a phrase which might constitute the title of a Lovecraftian story, and the title was taken up by one of the show's two predetermined main characters. That character would then narrate a story, stepping into and out of the scene as desired. At the conclusion of the story, the framing sequence would resume, until a second title ess announced, at which case the second narrator would begin his or her story. After that, the framing sequence resumed for a final time, at which point the frame itself became the third story and one (non-predetermined) character from the frame became the final narrator.


==Style==
==Style==
''The Black Vault'' stories were generally of three main styles:
''The Black Vault'' stories were generally of three main styles:
* Weird horror -- Tales of unnatural doings moored in such horror tropes as reanimation of the dead, infestation, mind control, or madness.
* Weird Horror—Tales of unnatural doings moored in such horror tropes as reanimation of the dead, infestation, mind control, or madness.
* Dreamscape -- Following the style of Lovecraft's "[[wikipedia:Dream Cycle|Dream Cycle]]," these stories focused on the inner life of the dreaming mind, usually with a fantasy or science fiction bent.
* Dreamscape—Following the style of Lovecraft's "[[wikipedia:Dream Cycle|Dream Cycle]]," these stories focused on the inner life of the dreaming mind, usually with a fantasy or science fiction bent.
* Cosmic horror -- As in the stories in Lovecraft's "[[wikipedia:Cthulhu Mythos|Cthulhu Mythos]]," these stories focused on unknowable and largely unseen forces from beyond the stars, represented on Earth by mysterious cults and strange ancient artifacts.
* Cosmic Horror—As in the stories in Lovecraft's "[[wikipedia:Cthulhu Mythos|Cthulhu Mythos]]," these stories focused on unknowable and largely unseen forces from beyond the stars, represented on Earth by mysterious cults and strange ancient artifacts.


== History ==
== History ==
=== Post-run Performances ===
After its mainstage run, there were a number of one-off shows:
After its mainstage run, there were a number of one-off shows:
* 12/6/12: "Lovecraft Secrets", a mash-up with ''[[Austin Secrets]]'' that played at ''[[The Free Fringe]]''.
* 12/6/12: "Lovecraft Secrets", a mash-up with ''[[Austin Secrets]]'' that played at ''[[The Free Fringe]]''.
Line 30: Line 31:
* 5/23/13: "Pick Your Own Black Vault", a mash-up with ''[[Pick Your Own Path]]'' that played at ''[[The Free Fringe]]''.
* 5/23/13: "Pick Your Own Black Vault", a mash-up with ''[[Pick Your Own Path]]'' that played at ''[[The Free Fringe]]''.
* 6/23/13: the show was hour 32 of [[The 44-Hour Improv Marathon]].
* 6/23/13: the show was hour 32 of [[The 44-Hour Improv Marathon]].
* 3/27/14: a double-bill with [[Strange Worlds]] as a fundraiser for both show's trip to the Alaska State Improv Festival.
=== ''Tales from the Black Vault'' ===
In 2014, the cast began production on ''[http://blackvault.austinimprov.com Tales from the Black Vault]'', a podcast version of the show.  Plans were made for an eight-episode audiodrama anthology of improvised stories in the style of H. P. Lovecraft.  They recorded [http://soundcloud.com/blackvaultpodcast/tales-from-the-black-vault-the-harvest-festival a demo episode] at the director's home, and then launched [http://kickstarter.com/projects/majcher/tales-from-the-black-vault-a-lovecraft-radio-drama a kickstarter campaign] to raise funding to produce a whole season.  The kickstarter raised enough money to produce *two* seasons, with the first season premiering in mid-March of 2015.


==Media==
==Media==
===Videos===
===Videos===
* Sample video of [[Marc Majcher]]'s [http://vimeo.com/49958497 introduction to the show].
* Sample video of [[Marc Majcher]]'s [http://vimeo.com/49958497 introduction to the show].
* [http://vimeo.com/49647825 Video of the 9/15/2012 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/49647825 Video of the 9/15/12 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/50914775 Video of the 9/22/2012 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/50914775 Video of the 9/22/12 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/52598840 Video of the 10/13/2012 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/89084358 Video of the last third of the 10/6/12 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/52585149 Video of the 10/20/2012 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/52598840 Video] by [[Paul Normandin]] of the 10/13/12 show.
* [http://vimeo.com/52665609 Video of the 10/27/2012 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/52585149 Video] by [[Paul Normandin]] of the 10/20/12 show.
* [http://vimeo.com/52659608 Video of the 10/31/2012 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/52665609 Video] by [[Paul Normandin]] of the 10/27/12 show.
* [http://vimeo.com/52659608 Video] by [[Paul Normandin]] of the 10/31/12 show.
* [http://vimeo.com/55421296 Video of the one-off "Lovecraft Secrets" show] (a mash-up with ''[[Austin Secrets]]'' at ''[[The Free Fringe]]''), from 12/6/12.
* [http://vimeo.com/55421296 Video of the one-off "Lovecraft Secrets" show] (a mash-up with ''[[Austin Secrets]]'' at ''[[The Free Fringe]]''), from 12/6/12.
* [http://vimeo.com/64275476 Video of the 4/13/2013 performance] at [[The 2013 Improvised Play Festival]].
* [http://vimeo.com/64275476 Video] by [[Paul Normandin]] of their 4/13/13 performance in [[The 2013 Improvised Play Festival]].
* [http://vimeo.com/67752198 Video of the 5/5/2013 performance], which was part of "Nerdprov" at [[The Institution Theater]].
* [http://vimeo.com/67752198 Video of the 5/5/13 performance], which was part of "Nerdprov" at [[The Institution Theater]].
* [http://vimeo.com/66965290 Video of "Pick Your Own Black Vault"] (a mash-up with ''[[Pick Your Own Path]]'' at ''[[The Free Fringe]]''), from 5/23/13.
* [http://vimeo.com/66965290 Video] by [[Paul Normandin]] of the 5/23/13 "Pick Your Own Black Vault" show in ''[[The Free Fringe]]''.
* [http://vimeo.com/70318263 Video of the 6/22/13 performance], part of [[The 44-Hour Improv Marathon]].
* [http://vimeo.com/69325354 Video] by [[Paul Normandin]] of their 6/23/13 performance in [[The 44-Hour Improv Marathon]].
* [http://vimeo.com/76849825 Audio of the 10/11/13 performance], part of ''[[Mister Morbid's Moonlight Movie Mayhem Madness Massacre]]''.
* [http://vimeo.com/76849825 Audio of the 10/11/13 performance], part of ''[[Mister Morbid's Moonlight Movie Mayhem Madness Massacre]]''.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k07bu91F9H4#t=2678 Video of the 3/27/14 performance] by [[Warren Henderson]].
* [http://vimeo.com/114083493 Video] by [[Peter Rogers]] of the 12/7/14 performance of "Arkham Community Radio" in the ''[[2x4]]''.
* [http://vimeo.com/120012508 Video] by [[Peter Rogers]] of the 1/23/15 performance of "Arkham Community Radio" in ''[[The Free Fringe]]''.
* [http://vimeo.com/133006812 Video] of their 6/10/15 performance in [[The 46-Hour Improv Marathon]].


=== Photos ===
=== Photos ===
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.418383731558482.101763.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] of the 9/8/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.418383731558482.101763.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] of the 9/8/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.387896174612401.86555.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 9/15/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.396822437053108.88995.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 10/6/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.396822437053108.88995.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 10/6/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.403247626410589.90509.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 10/27/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.403247626410589.90509.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 10/27/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.406375719431113.91155.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 10/31/12 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.406375719431113.91155.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] of the 10/31/12 performance.
* [http://cwcreations.smugmug.com/Improv-2013/Institution/2013-05-05-NerdProv/ Photoset] by [[Chad Wellington]] that includes their 5/5/13 performance at "Nerd Nite" at [[The Institution Theater]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.559758260759524.1073741862.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset] by [[Roy Moore]] that includes their 10/11/13 performance in [[Mister Morbid's Moonlight Movie Mayhem Madness Massacre]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/warren.henderson.946/media_set?set=a.811216412242179.1073741867.100000614831752&type=3 Photoset] by [[Warren Henderson]] of a 3/27/14 fundraiser show for their trip to the Alaska State Improv Festival.
* [http://cwcreations.smugmug.com/Improv-2014/Improvised-Play-Festival/Black-Vault/ Photoset] by [[Chad Wellington]] of their show in [[The 2014 Improvised Play Festival]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.712663832143464.1073741848.473177099425473&type=3 Photoset] by [[Chad Wellington]] of their 10/24/14 show with [[Mister Morbid]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.10203090924416751.1073741919.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] of the 12/4/14 performance of "Arkham Community Radio" in ''[[The Free Fringe]]''.
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.10204872285069654.1073741966.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] of a 9/15 cast visit to H. P. Lovecraft's gravesite in Providence, Rhode Island.


=== Other ===
=== Other ===
* [http://kacibeeler.com/Kaci_Beeler/Artwork/Pages/Set_Design_files/Media/black-vault-set-painting/black-vault-set-painting.jpg?disposition=download Photo] of [[Kaci Beeler]]'s set design.
* [http://kacibeeler.com/Kaci_Beeler/Artwork/Pages/Set_Design_files/Media/black-vault-set-painting/black-vault-set-painting.jpg?disposition=download Photo] of [[Kaci Beeler]]'s set design.
* ''Tales from the Black Vault'' media:
** [http://soundcloud.com/blackvaultpodcast/tales-from-the-black-vault-the-harvest-festival The podcast's demo episode.]
** [http://vimeo.com/110104860 Promo video] for ''[[The Free Fringe]]''.
** [http://vimeo.com/110448368 Promo video] for [http://kickstarter.com/projects/majcher/tales-from-the-black-vault-a-lovecraft-radio-drama the kickstarter campaign].
** Short cast interviews:
*** [http://vimeo.com/112034604 Interview] with [[Paul Normandin]].
*** [http://vimeo.com/112034692 Interview] with [[Jayme Ramsay]].
*** [http://vimeo.com/112257992 Interview] with [[Justin Davis]].
*** [http://vimeo.com/112363296 Interview] with [[Andreas Fabis]].
*** [http://vimeo.com/112363297 Interview] with [[Marc Majcher]].


== More Information ==
== More Information ==
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/shows/theblackvault The show's web page.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/shows/theblackvault The show's web page.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/the-creeping-laughter A blog post] by [[Roy Janik]] about the rehearsal process.
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/the-creeping-laughter A blog post] by [[Roy Janik]] about the rehearsal process.
* "The Shadow Out of Austin", an abortive collaborative story by the cast from September 2012:
** [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/the-shadow-out-of-austin Chapter 1], by [[Roy Janik]].
** [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/the-shadow-out-of-austin-chapter-2 Chapter 2], by [[Jay Michael]].
* [http://traffic.libsyn.com/thetheftforum/The_Black_Vault_-_Main_Stage_Focus.mp3 Interview] with director [[Marc Majcher]] and cast members [[Jessica Arjet]], [[Ryan Hill]], and [[Paul Normandin]] on ''[[The Theft Forum]]''.
* [http://traffic.libsyn.com/thetheftforum/The_Black_Vault_-_Main_Stage_Focus.mp3 Interview] with director [[Marc Majcher]] and cast members [[Jessica Arjet]], [[Ryan Hill]], and [[Paul Normandin]] on ''[[The Theft Forum]]''.
* [http://blackvault.net/ Website for ''Tales from the Black Vault''].


=== Press ===
=== Press ===

Revision as of 23:54, 23 January 2016


The Black Vault was an improvised longform show performed in the style of the novels and stories of H.P. Lovecraft.

Format

Each show in the mainstage run was divided into three stories. A predetermined group of characters would begin on stage, establishing a framing sequence. Eventually, one of the characters would say a phrase which might constitute the title of a Lovecraftian story, and the title was taken up by one of the show's two predetermined main characters. That character would then narrate a story, stepping into and out of the scene as desired. At the conclusion of the story, the framing sequence would resume, until a second title ess announced, at which case the second narrator would begin his or her story. After that, the framing sequence resumed for a final time, at which point the frame itself became the third story and one (non-predetermined) character from the frame became the final narrator.

Style

The Black Vault stories were generally of three main styles:

  • Weird Horror—Tales of unnatural doings moored in such horror tropes as reanimation of the dead, infestation, mind control, or madness.
  • Dreamscape—Following the style of Lovecraft's "Dream Cycle," these stories focused on the inner life of the dreaming mind, usually with a fantasy or science fiction bent.
  • Cosmic Horror—As in the stories in Lovecraft's "Cthulhu Mythos," these stories focused on unknowable and largely unseen forces from beyond the stars, represented on Earth by mysterious cults and strange ancient artifacts.

History

Post-run Performances

After its mainstage run, there were a number of one-off shows:

Tales from the Black Vault

In 2014, the cast began production on Tales from the Black Vault, a podcast version of the show. Plans were made for an eight-episode audiodrama anthology of improvised stories in the style of H. P. Lovecraft. They recorded a demo episode at the director's home, and then launched a kickstarter campaign to raise funding to produce a whole season. The kickstarter raised enough money to produce *two* seasons, with the first season premiering in mid-March of 2015.

Media

Videos

Photos

Other

More Information

Press